In 1115, during disputes with Henry I of England over his involvement in Church affairs there, his daughter, countess Matilda, the wife of emperor Henry V, died, leaving her lands to the Church. Henry claimed them for the crown, took militaryaction to secure them, and Paschal was forced to leave Rome for nearly three years, returning just a few days before his death.

It is unfortunate that this dispute occupied so much of Paschal’s time and forms the bulk of the history of his papacy. Even with these disputes he still managed to support missionaries, build churches, enforce clerical discipline, regularly travel and bring the faith to people, and was respected for his personal holiness and defense of the faith. SaintAnselm of Canterbury was a great admirer.